Ford, Lucid recalls spotlight safety issues in newer models

Ford is recalling 148,663 U.S. vehicles because an engine-compartment wiring-harness problem can cause a loss of driver power and disable headlights or windshield-washing functions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Tuesday, according to Reuters’ Sept. 1 report. The recall covers 2024-2026 Mustang vehicles, and dealers will replace the harness ground terminals free of charge, Reuters reported.

The defect can do more than stop a car. NHTSA said the wiring issue can disable the windshield washer system, headlights, air conditioning and engine-cooling fan, raising the risk of a crash, according to Reuters’ account. Ford recalled another 91,198 U.S. vehicles in June because daytime running lamps did not dim, a problem that could reduce visibility for other drivers, Reuters reported.

The Ford notice follows Lucid’s recall of 27,185 Air luxury sedans, the electric-vehicle maker’s largest recall to date, because an exterior-lighting circuit could overheat and increase the risk of fire, according to Reuters’ Aug. 28 report. NHTSA told owners to park the vehicles outside and away from structures until a remedy was deployed, while Lucid said an over-the-air software update had already reached 20,719 vehicles, Reuters reported.

The recall scale is notable for a small automaker. Lucid delivered 15,841 cars during all of 2025, fewer than the number of Air sedans included in the new recall, according to Reuters. Stellantis separately recalled 955,000 vehicles worldwide, including 848,000 in the United States, because radio software could prevent rear-view cameras from operating properly, Reuters reported.

For drivers, the common issue is reliance on electronic systems that affect basic visibility and control. Stellantis said it knew of no accidents or injuries connected with its recall and planned an over-the-air update, but NHTSA has said backover crashes average 210 deaths and 15,000 injuries a year in the United States, with about 30 percent of deaths involving children 5 or younger, according to Reuters’ recall report. Consumers therefore face a familiar but costly task: identify whether a vehicle is covered, follow interim parking or driving instructions and make time for a repair that may be free but is not frictionless. (Reuters)